Avoiding Pesticides

Pesticides is the generic, general name for insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, vermicides, rodenticides and miticides.

They are poisons designed, respectively, to kill insects, plants, fungi, worms, rodents and mites. The word 'cide' comes from the latin and means to kill. We know it from the word homicide--to kill a person.

Pesticides contain 'active' ingredients (the chemicals intended to kill the pests), and so-called 'inert' ingredients. These are considered trade secrets, and although in many cases they can be even more toxic than 'active' chemicals, most consumers are completely unaware they exist.

Not only do pesticides kill the 'pests,' but often they also kill beneficial insects and plants. Even when used as directed, pesticides have many negative side effects on human health and the environment.

Pesticides can harm the people who apply them, as well as bystanders. The World Health Organization reports that approximately 3 million people are poisoned by pesticides around the world each year, 50% of them children under the age of 10. And that is just the immediate danger! The long -term dangers are unknown.

Pesticides threaten family pets. Dogs from homes with lawns that have been sprayed with pesticides have been found to have a higher-than-average rate of the canine equivalent of lymphoma. Cancer is now the number one cause of unnatural deaths in dogs.

Pesticides will kill wildlife and harm habitats. Chemicals drift with the wind or are waterborne or absorbed into groundwater and soils. Eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, gulls and weasels, along with fish, reptiles, frogs and wildflowers, are all vulnerable.

Why go pesticide free?

By making some simple changes in how we care for our yard and gardens we can:

Save money on water, waste disposal and chemicals

Save time - working with nature is easier

Save the environment

Protect our family's health

Conserve precious water supplies and leave more in rivers for salmon too